CZ347598A3 - Apparatus for removing water from paper during manufacture thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

Device for removing water from paper during production includes a paper felt (10) having mutually opposed faces surfaces, machine-facing surface, and paper surface wherein at least a portion of the felt (10) has a reflectance of 365 nanometers larger than 0.4 units of absorption, and a pattern layer (18) having mutually opposing surfaces, the surface facing towards the felt (10) and the surface of the paper. The pattern layer (18) is attached to the web (10) in the interface (20) between the surface to be rotated to the felt (10) of the patterning layer (18) and the paper facing the surface of the felt (10) and the patterning layer (18) extends facing away from this interface / 20 /

Description

High absorbance / low reflectance felt with pattern layer

Technical field

The present invention relates to papermaking felt, in particular papermaking felt having a pattern layer for imprinting paper during its manufacture.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Paper felts are well known in the art. These felts are used to dry the paper during the manufacturing process. However, traditional papermaking felt produces only paper with one same area, i.e. paper having only one density, assuming the same basis weight.

One refinement of traditional felt is the application of pattern layers to them. This patterning layer imprints its pattern on the paper, creating a corresponding high density pattern in the paper. The corresponding high density pattern occurs in the X-Y direction, i.e. within the plane of the paper. Generally, the tensile strength of a particular paper increases with its density.

In addition, the patterned paper may be formed into the felt pattern layer. This shaping is important because it increases the paper tactility in the Z direction, i.e. perpendicular to the plane of the paper.

U.S. Pat. No. 08 / 461,832, filed Jun. 5, 1995, Trokhan et al. which is incorporated here. • • ·

- 2 references. The patterning layer is formed by using a liquid precursor, which is typically a curable resin, on a given felt. Prior to curing, this liquid intermediate permeates through the felt. the desired portion of the resin is cured, typically through a pattern mask, to form a rigid pattern layer. Any excess liquid resin is removed. Such penetration of the liquid intermediate into the felt attaches the patterning layer to the felt based on curing.

However, this approach, without further elaboration, does not control the fact that the liquid precursor and hence eventually, after the tearing-out of the patterning layer, penetrates the felt. If the felt penetrates too much of the fluid that forms the pattern layer and it is claimed, the felt becomes impermeable. An impermeable felt is not desirable as it does not allow removal of water from the felt or from the wet structure in contact with it.

A successful attempt to control the arrangement of a fluid in a felt is found in commonly-assigned application US 08/388 948, filed February 15, 1995, by McFarland et al., Incorporated herein by reference. McFarland et al. controls the depth of penetration of the fluid into the felt by applying foreign material to the felt that transports the liquid resin, preventing it from permanently curing in the felt. This other material is later washed away.

McFarland et al. it controls the direction of penetration of the liquid resin, which later becomes the pattern layer. McFarland et al. however, it does not prevent the curing of the liquid resin into the pattern layer at the undesired X-Y positions.

Control of the cure and arrangement of the liquid resin at different X-Y positions is typically achieved by a mask having regions opaque and translucent to actinic radiation. The fluid in alignment with the transparent regions is hardened and forms the pattern layer. The fluid in alignment with the opaque regions remains fluid and is later washed away. Use of translucent and opaque masks to selectively harden fluid into / oro ..

3 layers teach commonly assigned US patents: 4,514,345, issued April 30, 1985 to Johnson et al .; 4,528,239, issued July 9, 1985 to Trokhan; No. 4,529,480, issued July 16, 1985 to Trokhan; and 5,334,289, issued Aug. 2, 1994, to Trokhan, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

The actinic curing radiation applied to the paper felt is dispersed within the felt, especially near the surface. This dispersion cures the liquid resin not only in areas where it is desirable to have a pattern layer, but also in regions where it is desirable to wash away the fluid and maintain permeability. Thus, an important aspect of the curing process is preventing the uncontrolled dispersion of actinic curing radiation within the felt. Radiation scattering is particularly undesirable in those regions where the fluid is to be washed away and the felt remains permeable.

One approach to solving the problem of curing radiation scattering felt is to reduce the amount of energy in the curing radiation. The use of less energy has been found to be successful in preventing unwanted curing in certain areas of the felt.

However, this approach carries an undesirable compromise. As the curing energy decreases, the strength of the resin remaining after the curing operation is reduced. Thus, we can choose a resin with a lower strength more precisely placed in the desired X-Y pattern or have a stronger resin but with a less accurate X-Y pattern configuration.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a curable patterning layer on a paper felt, which is not limited by a compromise on the strength of the prior art. It is further an object of the present invention to control the Z-direction arrangement of the patterning layer in the felt.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention provides an X-Y plane and a papermaking felt

- 4 of paper during its manufacture. The machine has a plane perpendicular to the Z direction. The machine comprises having opposed surfaces, a machine facing surface and a paper facing surface. At least a portion of the felt has a reflectance greater than about 0.4 absorbance units. Such reflectance is preferably a reflectance of 365 nanometers (nm), alternatively, the reflectance may be an average reflectance measured from 301 to 400 nanometers. The apparatus further includes a pattern layer having opposing surfaces, a felt facing surface, and a paper facing surface. The patterning layer is attached to the felt at the interface (interface) between the surface facing the felt of the patterning layer and the paper facing the felt surface, and extends outwardly from the interface.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Giant. 1 is a fragmentary plan view of a device according to the present invention.

Giant. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the apparatus of FIG. 1.

Giant. 3 is a graphical representation of the relationship between the L * color value and the diffuse reflectance at 365 nm.

Giant. 4 is a three-dimensional graphical representation of the effect of reflectivity and curing energy on water permeability of the apparatus.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The device 10 of FIG. 1 and 2 according to the present invention comprise two basic components, a felt 14 and a pattern layer 18. Both the felt 14 and the patterning layer 18 have opposed surfaces and are joined together at the interface 20 between their surfaces. Felt14 has a paper-facing surface and a paper-facing surface κ · '· · · · · · · ·

The patterning layer 18 has a surface facing the paper and a surface facing the felt.

The felt 14 and the patterning layer 18 are joined together at the interface (interface) between the surface facing the paper of the felt 14 and the face facing the felt of the patterning layer 18. From FIG. 2, it is understood that the patterning layer 18 can penetrate the paper producing surface of the felt 14 and thereby penetrate all or part of the thickness of the felt 14.

Continuing with reference to FIG. 1 and 2 and examining the felt in more detail, the felt 14 must be able to dewater the paper and is therefore preferably water permeable. The felt 14 is capable of receiving water from the paper during the papermaking process. The felt 14 is preferably water permeable such that the received water can later be expelled from or otherwise removed from the felt 14. Preferably, the water is expelled from or otherwise removed from the surface facing the felt machine 14.

The felt 14 comprises two components, a substrate 16 and a web (interwoven fibers) 15 attached to the substrate 16. The web 15 may be made of natural or artificial fibers attached to the substrate 16 by any traditional and well known means such as needling. The web 15 may be formed from fibers having a yarn unit of from about 3 to about 30. The web 15 may have a fixed or variable density. If the web has a varying density, preferably the density gradient increases from the paper-facing surface of the felt 14 to the machine-facing surface of the felt 14 so that water is drawn out of the paper and can be extruded from the felt 14 as described above. The web 15 has fibers that can be made of nylon, wool, polyester or any other suitable material.

The felt 14 may have an air permeability of less than about

400 standard cubic feet (about 11326.72.10 ~ ³ m ³ ) per minute per square foot (0.0929 m ² ) at a differential pressure of 0.5 inch (127 mm) of water. Air permeability may be>

• · · · · · · · · · · · · · · ·

- 6 measured using the throughput of a VALMET measuring device, Model WIGO TAIFUN, Type 1000, available from Valmet Corporation of Karlstad, Sweden. In a preferred embodiment, the dewatering felt 14 may have air permeability between 5 and 200 standard cubic feet (141,584.10 ³ m ³ and 5663.36.10 ~ ³ m ³ ) per minute.

The dewatering felt 14 may have a water retention capacity of at least about 100 milligrams of water per square centimeter of surface area facing the paper. Preferably, the water retention capacity is at least about 150 milligrams per square centimeter of surface area facing the paper. Water retention capacity can be measured using a fluid porosimeter such as the TRJ Autoporosimeter available from TRJ / Princeton, Inc. of Princeton, NJ. Water retention capacity measurements are performed according to the method described by Miller et al. in an article entitled Fluid Porosimetry: New Methodology and Uses, at pages 163-70 of Journal of Colloid and Interface Science, 162 (1994), incorporated herein by reference.

The person skilled in the art will recognize that the radiation incident on the felt 14 can either be reflected, absorbed or transmitted through the felt 14. Overall, it is assumed that little radiation is transmitted through the felt 14. However, this question is debatable because any radiation transmitted by the felt 14 cannot reach the felt 14 and is therefore neither absorbed nor reflected. A commonly skilled person will recognize that absorbance and reflectance are generally perceived in the inverse relationship when measured on an ordinary scale.

In order to reduce unwanted scattering of OV radiation within the felt 14 during application of the patterning layer 18 thereto, the felt 14 has certain physical and optical properties. In particular, the reflectance of the felt 14 must be sufficiently low to minimize the reflection of actinic radiation incident thereon.

In this material, reflectance is measured in percent of reflectance or in absorbance units and is n <

- 7 in absorbance units in the respective figures. As used herein, the reflectance is found to be -Logio {(reflected I) / (incident I)}, in which incident I is the intensity of the source and reflected I is the intensity of the reflected signal. It is understood that less reflectance occurs as the value of absorbance units increases. It is understood that the reflectance of the particulate material is dependent on the wavelength of the incident radiation irrespective of whether or not the radiation in the visible light spectrum or eye is invisible.

At least a portion of the felt 14 has a reflectance of 365 nm less than 40% (greater than 0.4 absorbance units) and preferably less than 32% (greater than 0.5 absorbance units) and more preferably less than 25% (greater than 0.6 absorbance units) ), and most preferably less than 20% (greater than 0.7 absorbance units). The reflectance of 365 nm is measured at 365 nanometers.

The felt 14 preferably also has an average reflectance value greater than 0.4 absorbance units, preferably greater than 0.5 absorbance units, more preferably greater than 0.6 absorbance units, and most preferably greater than 0.7 absorbance units. As used herein, the average reflectance value represents the arithmetic mean of 100 reflectance measurements in absorbance units when a given sample is measured over a range of 301 to 400 nanometers in increments of one nanometer.

The diffuse reflectance value of felt 14 is measured using a Lambda 9 UV / VIS / NIR spectrophotometer from PerkinElmer, with a Labsphere DRTA 9A reflectivity / transmittance or equivalent. The spectrophotometer is set as follows: diffuse reflectance, Ord absorbance, 2 nanometer slit, speed up to 120 nm per minute, 1 second integration response, NCYCL (number of cycles) per 1, scanning range at 250-400 nm . The surface of the felt 14 is facing the paper at least to the paper, although both felt surfaces 14 - 8 may be the subject of the sample. The absorbance value was obtained at 365 nm and an average absorbance over the range of 301-400 nm was obtained.

One way in which reflectance values desirable 365 nm and average reflectance values can be obtained is by providing a particular (specific) color value L * to the felt 14. As shown in FIG. 3, there is an inverse relationship between the color value L * and the reflectance of 356 nm (through most of the range) for at least one particular dye, as discussed below.

Accordingly, at least a portion of the felt 14 may have an L * color value of less than 50, preferably less than L * 40, and more preferably less than L * 35, and meet the specified reflectance. Furthermore, it is preferred that the felting 24 is not too great. If the repeatability is too great, the patterning layer 18 will not be sufficiently attached to the felt 14 and may separate from it during use.

The color value L * of the felt 14 is determined using a colorimeter. Although many suitable colorimeters are well known in the art, a suitable colorimeter is available from the Hunter Associates Laboratory of Reston, Virginia, such as the ColorQUEST 45/0 System, consisting of a DP-9000 processor and a standard 45/0 optical sensor. A standard 2 ° observer and an illuminant C are selected. The color value L * is measured using the color scale L * a * b *. Using this scale, L * = 100 represents white and L * = 0 represents black. The value of a * indicates redness when positive and greenness when negative. A value of b * indicates yellowness when positive and bluish when negative.

The above-mentioned reflectance of 365 nm, average reflectance and L * values can be achieved by coloring the felt 14 so that when actinic curing radiation is applied to the felt, the radiation passing to the paper facing the felt surface 14 is absorbed rather than scattered. aired '! :

• · ·

- 9 9 ·

through the felt 14, from the machine-facing surface, high density and surface dyed in order to qualify, to the paper-facing surface to ke However, most felts have too much weight to perform such transfer.

Thus, it is usually necessary to reduce the reflectance of the felt 14 by increasing its absorbance.

The paper felt 14 may be dyed generally in accordance with the instructions provided with the felt dye 14. Suitable dyes for dyeing the felt 14 include water-soluble dyes. Particularly suitable dyes are available from CPC Specialty Products, Inc. of Indianopolis, Indiana, under the tradename RIT.

Although the following example relates to felt 14 applied to reflectance, a person of ordinary skill in the art does not need to be so dyed or treated. As long as the felt 14 has a high absorbance and low reflectivity to the actinic radiation that cures the pattern layer 18, the felt 14 will be suitable.

EXAMPLE 1

The feed belt of the machine was produced as follows. Amflex 2 Model Press Felt was obtained from Appleton Mills of Appleton, Wisconsin. Thirty gallons of water (about 113.5 liters) heated to 210 ° F (98.8 ° C) was added to the dye vat. The colorant dye was so large that it contained a felt 14 and allowed it to be immersed in water. Fifty-six ounces (about 1,587.5 grams) of RIT liquid colorant, black number 15, available from CPC Specialty Products, Inc, was added to the water. of Indianopolis, Indiana, and thoroughly mixed to obtain a concentrate of eight ounces (about 226.7 grams) of dye per 3.75 gallons (about 14.2 liters) of water (about 15.9 grams per liter). The water was allowed to cool to 185 ° F (85 ° C) and the felt 14 was submerged in a vat for five minutes, further cooling the water / dye mixture to approximately 175 ° F.

The felt 14 was then slowly removed from the dye vat and the liquid from the dye vat was poured over the portion of the felt 14 which was removed therefrom to ensure that all portions of the felt 14 were stained.

After the felt 14 was removed from the vat, the dye solution was emptied and the tank was filled with water at room temperature. The dye felt 14 was then rapidly rinsed in a dye vat. The felt 14 was removed from the dye vat and allowed to drain excess water therefrom. The felt 14 was then air dried for at least 24 hours at room temperature. Each of the previous steps was repeated a second time. The dyed felt 14 was then ready to add pattern layers 18 thereto.

Referring to FIG. 4, the felt 14 reflectance at 365 nanometers had an uncolored 365 nm of approximately 0.2 absorbance units. The felt 14 dyed to a color value of about L * 30 exhibits a reflectance of 365 nm greater than about 0.9 absorbance units, while the felt 14 dyed in Example 1 exhibits a reflectance of 365 nm greater than 1.6 absorbance units. It will be appreciated that since the color value L * (and hence the absorbance) increases, the energy reflected at 356 nanometers decreases.

Alternatively, rather than dyeing the felt 14 as an assembly, the fibers forming the batt 15 of the felt 14 may be dyed prior to needling and converting into the felt 14. Similarly, the felt substrate 16 may be dyed prior to incorporation into the felt 14.

In an alternative embodiment, the entire felt 14 need not have a specified reflectance of 365 nm, an average reflectance, and an L * color value. Only part of the above reflectance 365 and color value L *. If only the portion of felt 14 has the above reflectance of 365 nm, average reflectance and color value L *, preferably it is the portion of felt 14 that is juxtaposed with, and more preferably contains, to the felt 14 needs to have nm, average reflectance

- 11 facing the felt surface 14.

In yet another embodiment, the surface of the felt 14 facing the pattern layer 18 may have a reflectance of 365 nm less than about 0.4 absorbance units. The felt 14 may have a region below the surface region that provides a specified reflectance of 365 nm of at least about 0.4 absorbance units. Below this level, the felt 14 may again be clear. As used herein, it is understood that a felt that is clear may be white or whitish colored if the above reflectance values of 365 nm are not ensured. It will be appreciated that the surface facing the felt machine 14 may be either clear or have the above reflectance value of 365 nm. Potentially, this embodiment would increase belt durability.

A typical felt 14 is made of a web of fibers 15 attached to the substrate 16 by needling and the like. A partially dyed arrangement can be achieved by dyeing the batt 15 which forms the felt 14. Alternatively or preferably, in addition to the dyeing of the batt 15, the batt 16 forming the felt 14 can also be dyed to a specified reflectance of 365 nm, average reflectance and L value. . The preference for the web 15 to have a specified reflectance of 365 nm, the average reflectance, and the color value L * is because the patterning layer 18 is most typically attached to the web 15, rather than to the substrate 16.

If desired, the batt web 15 may be comprised of both fibers having a specified reflectance of 365 nm and fibers not meeting a specified reflectance of 365 nm. This arrangement fulfills the dual objective of providing both a high resolution skeleton of the pattern 18 that penetrates the felt 14 and rests below the felt layer facing the felt 14 while minimizing the loss of felt penetration 14.

The felt 14 may potentially also have reflectance

365 nm, average reflectance and color value L *, which varies according to the pattern arranged in the X-Y plane. If the reflectance is 365 nm, the average reflectance and the value!>? ·

No. 12,345, issued by Wilmington, felt 14 changes according to pattern X-Y, preferably opaque portions of felt 14 are arranged in pattern X-Y aligned with portions of the pattern layer 18 discussed below that do not print paper during its manufacturing process.

The patterning layer 18 may be applied to the felt 14 in liquid form and preferably comprises some resin. The resin is preferably photosensitive and cures when exposed to actinic radiation. This actinic radiation may have a wavelength of approximately 365 nanometers. Curing is then performed by crosslinking. Suitable resins are disclosed in the previously incorporated U.S. Pat. No. 4,514

Johnson and they're available from McDermid, lne.

Delaware, as part of the Megigraph range of resins. This resin, when cured into the pattern layer 18, should have a Shore hardness tester hardness of not greater than about 60, as measured on a resin slice of about 1 inch x 2 inches x 0.25 inches thick ( 2.54 x 5.08 x 0.63 cm) at 85 ° C. Readings are made ten seconds after the initial engagement of the hardness probe with the resin.

The fluid that later forms the pattern layer 18 may have a viscosity of about 5,000 to 15,000 centipoises at 70 ° F (21.1 ° C) to properly penetrate the felt 14 prior to curing. The fluid, preferably the liquid resin, is applied to the felt 14 according to the following. The felt 14 may be provided in the form of a continuous web. The felt 14 is carried around a nozzle positioned against the paper-facing surface of the felt 14. Preferably, the liquid resin nozzle, the facing surface of the felt 14.

The thickness of the liquid coating can be controlled mechanically by using a clamp. For the embodiments described herein, a suitable thickness coating measured from the paper-facing surface of the felt 14 to the outwardly extending portion of the resin is up to about 2.5 millimeters. Through the liquid coating on the felt 14, a mask having opaque and translucent portions is placed, hsixb pushes the film evenly across the fluids, to the paper

Cincinnati, felt 14 of any desired pattern. Suitable well-known patterns include fine opaque regions and a translucent region containing a substantially continuous mesh, although any desired pattern can be used when it occurs in the X-Y plane.

The fluid that later forms the patterning layer 18 is exposed to actinic radiation with an activating wavelength. The actinic radiation is applied by the mask so that it is located between the actinic radiation source and the liquid coating on the felt 14. Actinic radiation can be supplied by a lamp. This partially cures or precurses the resin, which is aligned with the transparent portions of the mask. The resin aligned with the opaque parts of the mask remains uncured.

Preferably, at least about 300 millioules per square centimeter of precure energy is applied to the felt 14 using actinic radiation. More preferably, at least about 1200 millioules per square centimeter of precure energy is applied to the felt 14 through the translucent portions of the mask. Pre-curing energy can be measured with an ultraviolet light energy measuring device, model IL 390-B Light Bug, available from International Light, Inc. of Newburyport, MS.

Further, the uncured liquid resin is removed from the felt 14. The resin is removed by washing the felt 14 with a mixture of an active surfactant such as a Top Job detegrent manufactured by the Procter & Gamble Company of Ohio and water. The surfactant may be sprayed from showers. Washing can be performed at a temperature of about 90 ° (F or C, if ° F, then 32.2 ° C) using ventilated discharge tubes with an orifice diameter of about 0.062 inch (1.57 mm), the impact angle 30 °, and a supply pressure of 500 psi (3430 kPa). The second wash may be performed at a temperature of about 160 ° (F or C, if ° F, then 71.1 ° C) using fan outlet tubes with an orifice diameter of about 0.062 inch (1.57 mm). an angle of 30 °, and a delivery pressure of 140 psi (960.4 kPa). all other parameters remain constant.

The felt 14 and the remaining resin, which has now formed the patterning layer 13, are moved over or otherwise positioned side by side with the vacuum foot. The vacuum is applied to the machine-facing side of the felt 14 to remove any uncured fluid remaining in the felt 14. This washing sequence and vacuum application can be repeated as needed. Once uncured fluid is removed from the felt 14, the felt 14 is rinsed again to remove any surfactant.

the partially cured resin is then immersed in a water bath and the actinic curing radiation is again applied. The water in the bath allows the transfer of actinic radiation from the source to the sample layer 18, while preventing free oxygen from reaching the sample layer 18. Free oxygen can extinguish the polymerization reaction desired to achieve complete curing of the sample layer 18. Preferably, the bath does not contain a surfactant so radiation is not attenuated before reaching the patterning layer 18. The bath preferably comprises a strong reducing agent, such as sodium sulfate, to flush residual oxygen from the bath.

The cured pattern layer 18 may have a substantially continuous mesh with fine apertures disposed within this substantially continuous mesh, as disclosed in commonly assigned ^T 345 patent issued by Johnson et al. Alternatively, the fine patterns set forth in Johnsonovl et al.

The patterning layer 18 extends outwardly from the proximal end attached to the felt 14 at the interface 20 to the distal end. The distal end of the patterning layer 18 imprints the paper during manufacture, causing the printed areas to densify, thereby forming the paper with multiple regions. Thus, by extending outwardly from the surface 20 of the felt 14, the patterning layer 18 can form the paper at a differential density during manufacture.

The patterning layer 18 preferably penetrates the felt 11 to a depth of about 0.1 to about 0.5 millimeters, such as

• · • ·

15 to the paper-facing surface of the felt 14 toward the machine-facing surface of the felt 14. If the penetration of the patterning layer 18 outside the paper-facing surface of the felt 14 is less than this size, the patterning layer 18 cannot be adequately attached to the felt 14 and to the department. Alternatively, if the pattern layer 18 permeates the felt 14 to a too great depth, permeability may be sacrificed.

An exemplary, non-limiting example of a device 10 manufactured according to the present invention contrasts with a prior art device. Both devices 10 utilized a patterning layer 18, comprising a substantially continuous mesh having a surface area of about 35 percent of the paper-facing surface of the felt 14. The patterning layer 18 extended outwardly from the paper-facing surface of the felt 14 of about 0.25 millimeters. The reflectance values of 365 nm of felt 14, cure energy applied to felt 14, and water permeability are shown in Table I below. A gel coating (or overcoat) of the fatty acid sodium salt gel was uniformly applied throughout the felt 14. The resin-facing surface of the felt 14 was sprayed slightly to provide a suitable contact area for the patterning layer 18. The remainder of this protective layer was washed out after the patterning layer 18 had been cured.

TABLE I

Reflectivity (units absorbance) Reflectivity (percentage) Energy Pre-Cure (mJ / oftz) Prostupn. water (cm ³ / sec.) Durability. (quality) ) Previous technique 1 0.2 63 300 9 enemy. The present invention 1.4 4 300 13 enemy. Previous technique 2 0.2 63 1200 1.3 acceptable The present invention 1.4 4 1200 12.9 ...

As can be seen from Table I, the device 10 of the present invention exhibited a considerably increased throughput compared to the prior art. It will be appreciated that the felt 14 having a minimum permeability of at least 6 cm ³ / sec. and preferably at least 9 cm ³ / sec. is desirable in paper making.

In addition, the device 10 of the present invention that receives a pre-cure energy of 1200 mJ / cm ² not only has acceptable permeability, but also exhibits acceptable belt durability. If the durability of the belt is unacceptable, an excessive number of belt conversions will be required.

The scope of the invention is not limited to this example, but is to be found in the appended claims.

Claims (10)

PATENT CLAIMS An apparatus for removing water from paper during its manufacture, the apparatus having an X-Y plane and a perpendicular Z direction thereto, the apparatus comprising: a paper felt having opposed surfaces, a machine facing surface and a paper facing surface, at least a portion of the felt having a reflectance of 365 nanometers (nm) greater than 0.4 absorbance units, and a pattern layer having opposed surfaces, a felt facing surface and a surface facing the paper, the patterning layer is attached to the felt in the interface (interface) between the surface facing the felt of the patterning layer and the paper facing the felt surface, the patterning layer extending outwardly from the interface. 2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said portion of felt having a reflectance of 365 nm greater than 0.4 absorbance units is positioned adjacent to the paper facing the felt, and said felt having a reflectance of 365 nm greater than 0.4 units. the absorbance preferably extends from the paper-facing surface of the felt to the machine-facing surface of the felt. 3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the pattern layer comprises a XY pattern of two regions, the first regions imprinting the paper and the second regions not imprinting the paper, and said felt portions having a reflectance of 365 nm greater than 0.4 absorbance units are preferably of the pattern XY, the pattern XY of those portions having said reflectance greater than 0.4 absorbance units is aligned with those portions of the pattern layer that do not print the paper. The apparatus of claims 1, 2 and 3, wherein the felt has a reflectance of 365 nm greater than 0.4 absorbance units. - 18 The apparatus of claim 1, 2, 3 and 4, wherein the felt comprises a substrate and a web (entangled fibers) attached thereto, and wherein the web comprises portions of a felt having an L * color value less than L * 50 and the substrate preferably has an L * color value less than L * 40. The apparatus of claim 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 wherein the patterning layer does not penetrate a portion of the felt having a reflectance greater than 0.4 absorbance units. 7. Apparatus for removing water from paper during its manufacture, the apparatus having an X-Y plane and a perpendicular Z direction thereto, the apparatus comprising: a paper felt having opposing surfaces, a machine facing surface and a paper facing surface, at least a portion of the felt having a reflectance of 365 nm greater than 0.4 absorbance units, this portion also having an average reflectance greater than 0.4 absorbance units, and a pattern layer having opposing surfaces, a felt facing surface and a paper facing surface, the patterning layer is attached to the felt at an interface (interface area) between the surface facing the felt of the patterning layer and the paper facing the felt surface, and extending outwardly therefrom. Apparatus according to claim 7, characterized in that the felt has an average reflectance greater than 0.5 absorbance units, and preferably the felt has a reflectance of 365 nm greater than 0.5 absorbance units. 9. An apparatus for removing water from paper during its manufacture, the apparatus having an X-Y plane and a perpendicular Z direction thereto, the apparatus comprising: a paper felt having opposing surfaces, a machine facing surface and a paper facing surface, the paper felt comprising a web of fibers attached I ♦ - 19 to the substrate, the first portion of the nonwoven fibers has a reflectance of 365 nm greater than 0.4 absorbance units and a second portion of these nonwoven fibers has a reflectance of 365 nm less than 0.4 absorbance units, the first and second portions of these fibers being intermixed, and a patterning layer having opposing surfaces, a felt-facing surface and a paper-facing surface, the patterning layer being attached to the felt at an interface (interface area) between the surface facing the felt of the patterning layer and the paper facing the felt surface, and extending outwardly therefrom . The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the paper facing surface of the felt comprises fibers having a reflectance of 365 nm less than 0.4 absorbance units.